"DID THINGS WELL"

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 122, 22 May 1920, Page 19

"DID THINGS WELL"

Charges that the OoTernment had indulged In reckless extravagance at the [Peace Conference In Paris have -been made in connection with its bill of .393,388 for the expenses of the British delegation. <

vThen the bill -was presented in the House of Commons recently, Sir Alfred Mond, the first Commissioner of Works, was sharply questioned as to whether his bill for hotels in Paris covered the cost of champagne, food and dances. He replied his department was not responsible for the payment of ibllls for food, clothing, typists, dances or bands. One member of the 'House indignantly declared it would have been 'better for the British delegates to have gone to bed to think over the Peace Conference, instead of Indulging in snch relaxation. One government representative admitted that the British had five hotels and three other premises, while the Americans had only one (hotel, but -ha declared, tbe Americans spent more money. The House indulged in ironic cheers when Sir Alfred Mond said the Government "did the thing welt" ' The total staff of the British delegation numbered 524.